6 replies to this topic

[pothole]

I decided today to tighten the belt up on my 1997 MPi Cooper as it had been squealing for a while, consulted the Haynes manual and it tells me to remove the cover then slacken off the nut on the tensioner and finally adjust it with the adjuster at the bottom adding that they are prone to seizure. So what bright spark at Rover decided to make the adjuster square, and do I need a special tool to move it. I don't see any nut on the tensioner either so I am stuck.

I am sure someone on here has tackled the job before, if so could you give me some tips on how you did it, thanks

[Steve220]

Hope this helps

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[hungdynasty]

The nut on the tensioner is 13mm, I just use a regular adjustable spanner on the adjuster.

[pothole]

Thanks for the replies I looked again and found the 13mm nut on the tensioner, and tried a spanner on the adjuster but it is solid, is it an easy job to remove the whole tensioner unit, then I could free it up and make the adjustment.

[hungdynasty]

Hm.......actually I remember I turned the adjuster CLOCKWISE to loose the tensioner and ANTI-CLOCKWISE to tighten it! If you follow the workshop manual and turn anti-clockwise trying to loose it, you won't loose the tensioner but tighten it up instead. 

[90BHP]

Make sure the tensioner is free to slide, before forcing the adjuster ;) my adjuster had also popped out of the retainer before I got my hands on the car....

[pothole]

Hi all in the end I took off the tensioner unit, removal of two bolts and found that it was at the end of its travel and seized which some gentle heat fixed, then ordered new belt.